Assad appoints new Syria PM

President Bashar al-Assad has appointed Wael al-Halqi, former health minister, as Syria's new premier, state television reported.

Syrian rebels say the regime of Bashar al-Assad is moving chemical weapons to the country's borders.

"The president has signed Decree 298, appointing Wael al-Halqi as the new prime minister," the broadcaster reported. Halqi was appointed to replace Riad Hijab, whose defection to the opposition was announced on Monday.